Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – (Amarillo) — Local restaurant owners and managers will share their concerns about Obamacare, immigration reform, and other federal regulations with area Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) on Wednesday, July 3, during a roundtable discussion at Macaroni Joe’s, 1619 S. Kentucky, Suite 1500-D, Amarillo, TX 79102.
There will be a media availability to highlight some of the participants’ concerns immediately following the discussion with Rep. Thornberry and Kevin Hawkins and Jennifer Bara, local restaurant owners and members of the Panhandle Restaurant Association.
“Decisions made in Washington have immediate and profound consequences for local businesses including restaurants,” said Rep. Thornberry. “Take Obamacare, for example. Folks want to know if there are options available to slow it down so they can figure out what it means for their businesses, employees, and customers,” he said.
“I want the best for my employees, and I wish could pay for their health insurance. With the rising cost of healthcare, the time and expense of implementing the new regulations of Obamacare, and the many unanswered issues with the law, I am not sure how this will play out,” said Mr. Hawkins. “If this takes effect as planned, it is going to have a costly impact on my restaurants, customers and staff. I really don’t think most of the public has a clue how big of a train wreck this has become and how this will impact small businesses and consumers,” he continued.
Restaurants play a large role in the Texas economy. In 2013, they are projected to generate nearly $41 billion in sales. Additionally, there are nearly 40,000 eating and drinking establishments employing 1,074,200 Texans, which accounts for 10 percent of the employment in the entire state. The 13th congressional district is home to 1,277 eating and drinking places, which employ 26,919 people.
(http://www.restaurant.org/Downloads/PDFs/State-Statistics/texas)
